Essay

Goal & Description:

The goal of the first essay is to introduce you to the practice of literary analysis as a means of generating an original, argumentative thesis about the meaning of a literary text.

You will have the opportunity to closely examine one of the assigned literary texts from the first part of the semester [from Weeks 1—7] and write about one of the following items in relation to your chosen text:

1. The role of supporting characters. In your chosen text, select one “minor” or supporting character [not the central protagonist] who seems relevant to the story overall and is fairly well defined. Explain in what way your chosen “minor” character is significant to the story overall. Do not focus on plot details, but on meaning and theme. Usually, your “minor” character is a symbol of some larger or more abstract concept—what concept, idea or theme might that be? Is the character’s name or behavior toward others important? Does he or she undergo a transformative change through the story, and if so, what type of change?

2. The power of specific scenes. Select a memorable scene or moment in your chosen text that conveys a central theme important to the work overall. Take note of specific uses of figurative language, including metaphors, unusual descriptions and comparisons, and images, and consider how that figurative language raises that theme. You may also want to consider what immediately precedes or follows your chosen scene. What is your overall work about, and how does your chosen scene or moment convey that?

3. The recurrence of images. Sometimes, literary works weave a particular image into their text. This image is usually an object we can visualize in our mind, but sometimes it carries an unexpected, strange or deeper meaning that goes beyond the literal level. Select an image—of an object, something we can sense, taste, touch, see, etc.—and explain which theme or idea it raises in your work overall. What does it mean to various characters, narrators or speakers? Does its meaning change at any point during the text? Select a concrete image; do NOT select an abstract concept like love, fear or death.

Remember, a theme refers to an idea, preoccupation, or concern that is repeated throughout a text. Common themes in the works we have studied so far include the relationship between artist and audience, the scientific process, the symbolic fears posed by monsters, the alternative views of beauty, and the nature of love.

There may be other themes you discern in your readings; that’s fine. When you link your literary analysis to a particular theme, be explicit in your description of that theme.

Please select one text from the following list as the topic of your paper:

· Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Prometheus” 


· “How Spider Stole the Sky God’s Stories” 


· “Prince Marko and the Vila” 


· Mozart’s The Magic Flute 


· The Grimm Brothers’ “Hansel and Gretel” 


· Lafcadio Hearn’s “Hoichi the Earless” 


· Edgar Allen Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” 


· Pyotr Tchiavkosky’s Swan Lake 


· Poetry by Baudelaire, Tonga, Ishi, Dickinson, or Sousa 


· Conan Doyle’s “A Scandal in Bohemia” 


· Franz Kafka’s “A Hunger Artist” 


· Junichiro Tanizaki’s “The Tattooer” 


· Méliès’s Trip to the Moon 


· Fritz Lang’s Metropolis 


· Modernist/Avant-garde poetry 


· Your Argument: 
After you have selected your text, develop a reasoned and well-supported thesis [presented at the end of your opening paragraph]. Your thesis may be one or two sentences, but it should clearly articulate your position about what you will go on to argue in the rest of the paper. Imagine that we have no way of evaluating your argument except by this one sentence; make that sentence succinct, meaningful, and clear. 
Your argument is an extension of the thesis. Essentially, it is the rest of the paper, which fleshes out supporting ideas and examples from the text. Try not to think in terms of “true” or “false” arguments. Aim, instead, for a “strong” argument [as opposed to a “weak” one.] A strong argument offers evidence from the text and your interpretation of that evidence’s meaning. How does your evidence support the overall claim that you are making? How does the evidence demonstrate [or perhaps complicate, or even contradict] a particular theme of the overall work? 
Your paper must be between 3-5 full pages – no less, and no more. No outside sources are encouraged or allowed. We will be vigilant in enforcing this rule and we will check each paper carefully to make sure that everyone plays fair. Use the text itself [and any lecture notes] as your guide and inspiration. 
Tips and Guidelines: 
Consider using the following guidelines to help you secure a better grade for your paper. Failure to comply to one or more of these guidelines will most likely weaken your paper and lower your grade: 


1. Your thesis should be articulated as a definitive statement, usually found at the end of your introductory paragraph.

2. Your paper should be well-supported with evidence. Think about the thematic importance of any symbols, metaphors, key words or phrases, melodies, rhythms, singing styles, or stagecraft used in the excerpted passages. 


3. Don’t over-quote or under-quote. Quoting excessively will not give you enough room to adequately discuss each piece of evidence; not quoting at all will make your paper look like a series of speculations and generalizations. Try to strike a balance between these extremes. 


4. Your paper should not rehash the plot. You may refer to plot elements as needed, but your overall “point” should be an idea that you develop through a close examination of the various elements of your passage. Remember, your reader and grader have already read the texts; we do not need a summary. 


5. Your paper should be concise, accurate, and fair in its assertions and points. Be specific when you can, and avoid any cultural or historic generalizations and other logical fallacies. Please cite your original material correctly: 
Example: According to Week Y Lecture about Z, “X” (pg#)
Example: The hunger artist in Kafka’s story “X” (pg #) – prose
Example: Baudelaire’s “Her Hair” reveals “X” (line number) – poetry Example: “Crowds” reveals “X” (stanza/paragraph number) – prose poems 


6. Your paper should be well-organized, and your various ideas should be part of an overall, coherent argument. Try to remain consistent in your argument and do not offer evidence that contradicts or drifts from your main thesis. 


7. Select your evidence judiciously. There is such a wealth of information in each passage that it will be almost impossible to treat it exhaustively in a paper of 3-5 pages. With that in mind, use only the evidence that best serves your argument [and does not make any unfair claims about the text overall.] 


8. Your paper should be written in an academic tone, using clear language and defining any key terms you use. 


9. Your paper should be proofread for spelling and grammatical errors, and formatted correctly. This means stapling your papers, using Times New Roman 12-point font, and one-inch margins. This also means writing at least three full pages. Any deviations from this format will look unprofessional and may result in point deductions. [Please print only on one side per page.] 


10. Give your paper a title. Often, this will help you narrow your thesis and alert your reader/grader to your intended overall “point.”